AIBU to think this advice is a bit OTT?

[cbearmum]

DS went to hospital tonight, he is okay, has a nasty cold but no temp.

Paramedic told us that despite it being winter and quite nippy in our house, we should put him in his crib in a nappy and nothing else until his cold goes. Does this sound unusual advice?

Just a nappy? no top, no covers nothing? It is unusual advice (especially if no temperature as I've been told that when they have high temperature it's not a good idea to put thick covers on them for example)? Did the paramedic explain why s/he thinks you should do this?

Ridiculous advice. What is the temp in your house?

How old is your child?

Temp drops to 17-18 degrees in the night, it's currently 19 degrees, and baby is three months

I'd go as far to say it's irresponsible advice. Did he have a valid reason to back this up?

I'm glad you think the same.
She said that when babies have colds they are at higher risk of seizures, so he should just be in a nappy and a light blanket if it gets very cold. I've ignored advice and the bunged up baby is in his grobag as usual. I know babies shouldn't be overheated, but it just sounded a bit extreme to me.

17 to 18’degrees is perfect room temp for sleeping baby. But undressed I would imagine they would be far too cold and possibly ill and there is no way a baby would actually sleep like that.

No, no, no! Babies with bad croup need cool fresh air. So it's not necessarily bad advice.

Please please seek a second opinion from a medical professional because the advice you're being given on here is shit.

OP baby has cold not croup.

What did the dr advise when your little on assessed?

Zero medical qualification but two kids here.
I've never taken either of mine to hospital with a cold and no temp.
Back story please. What prompted the hospital visit?

He has had a stinking cold for three days, and this evening I called 111 as doctors closed for new year. I was concerned about how congested he was, and that his nostrils were flaring, and his cough seemed to be getting worse. Paramedics came and checked his stats and all were fine, but they recommended we went to hospital to see a Paediatrician to make sure it hadn't gone to his lungs, which it hadn't. He was checked over after a long wait and we were sent home.

Depending on the house and the level of heating/ insulation that seems like bad advice.

What temperature is your house? Do you have central heating? Have you tried propping up the head of the cot so baby's head is a bit upright?

Ok, thanks for the extra info.

I've had this with both, and all DP here might say the same.

Your first, I assume, and no disrespect, as you get super scared.

They are expecting a temperature to develop. Advice of only nappy based on that. Layers over, can be added or reduced as needed.

Me personally, I'd pop a vesty button up job on, but a thin one.

Also, coat his feet in Vick and stick socks on. If feet are warm, the rest of the body does well. You want to be checking the chest temperature with your hand - should feel neither hot nor chill.

Hth x

Absolutely not. If he has a cough the last thing he needs is to be cold.

Keep an eye on a temp and if he gets one give him panadol (can't recall what age panadol is ok check the bottle), and dress him in light layers. But definitely don't leave him uncovered.

Babies are at risk of seizures if they have a high temp. One thing you don't want to do is cool them down too quickly. The advice used to be to put them in a cool bath but we now know this is wrong. A mild wet sponge is ok.

Also usually you can feel when they start to get a temp as the back of their necks will get hot.

Paramedics are used to seeing the worst case scenario, which is probably why they have given you such over-cautious advice.

She was worried about febrile convulsions if running a temperature. Did you put back the same grobag on as when she saw him? She may have been saying that it was too warm. I would put him in a cotton baby gro and light layers of sheets and blankets which he can kick off if hot and you're asleep. Propping the end of the cot up is good advice. Stick a couple of books under the legs. If he gets very blocked up take him in the bathroom and run the water/shower for a few minutes.
I a mum of four and a nursery nurse. It is scary with little ones.

So not only did you phone for an ambulance for a cold? But now you are disregarding the advice given by the medics anyway? Ok then, why not come on a parenting forum and ask for advice? Great idea!

Op didn't phone an ambulance, she called 111 for advice.

What is the baby's temperature op? Do you have a lighter tog sleeping bag than usual.

Everyone gave parenting advice, on a parenting forum, except you Lolita

you do need to cool him down op. remove grobag and just have a light cover

Why would I give parenting advice, when the OP has already been given medical advice? If she wanted parenting advice she could have just cut out the whole going to hospital thing, surely?

Lolita
Please read the Op messages again. Then you will find out why the paramedic arrived and why the child was taken to hospital. I do agree she should take advice as the paramedic saw the baby and we haven't and don't know what the temperature was but as long as light clothing is on he should be ok. If he gets hotter/temperature then a just a nappy would be correct.

Can I just add that normal Vicks is unsafe for children under 2.

@Idontdowindows I know, the amount of people that suggest putting vicks on baby's feet. Comes up every time someone mentions their baby has a cold. It's dangerous.

I’ve always been told that a baby being a little bit cold is much better than too hot.

If baby is congested raise one end of the cot/mattress and if you have a humidifier pop that on too. Normal vicks is not good for babies under 2/3 as the menthol (I think) increases mucus production and can be seriously bad. Use the baby version (or snugflebaby) which can be picked up in supermarkets.